Scheduled to debut in June 2013, the 3,560-passenger Royal Princess is nearing completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Here, USA TODAY cruise editor Gene Sloan takes readers inside the still-under-construction vessel to see how its top decks and interior spaces are taking shape. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess will be Princess' first new ship since 2008 and, at 141,000 tons, its largest ever. It will measure 1,083 feet long and 155 feet wide at its widest point and boast 17 decks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Royal Princess takes its name from two previous, smaller Princess ships. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' tropical island-themed main pool deck will have a large rectangular pool and a plunge pool surrounded by curving wading areas and two hot tubs. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A close-up of the rectangular area that will become the Royal Princess' main Fountain Pool. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The deck-top area adjacent to the pool will be the site of a nightly water and light show. During the day, the space will be covered to provide more space for lounge chairs. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A Fincantieri worker installs a hot tub on the Royal Princess' main pool deck. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Princess' signature deck-top "Movies Under the Stars" program will return on the Royal Princess with a yet-to-be-installed outdoor screen that will be twice the size of the screens on previous Princess ships. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another view of the still-under-construction main pool deck. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Retreat Pool, on Deck 17 near the front of the vessel, will be part of an adults-only area that is open to passengers for no extra cost. The Retreat will have six private cabanas available at an extra charge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Adjacent to the Retreat area will be the Sanctuary, Princess' signature extra-charge, adults-only area. New for the Sanctuary on the Royal Princess will be four extra-charge "VIP" private cabanas and two Lotus Spa-operated "couples" cabanas. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The footprint for one of the Lotus Spa-operated couples cabanas at the Sanctuary is already in place. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess will have what Princess is billing as the industry's first "SeaWalk" -- a glass-enclosed walkway cantilevered nearly 30 feet off the side of the vessel. In the picture above, Princess executives and journalists are walking above the SeaWalk. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Princess executives and journalists walk through the still-under-construction SeaWalk, which hangs off the side of the ship 17 decks above the sea. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The SeaWalk will have glass floors so passengers can see the ocean below. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A small, secondary pool is located at the aft end of the main pool deck. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located across from the SeaWalk near the Royal Princess' main pool, this pool-deck bar will be the site of daily bartender "flair" performances. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located on Deck 17, the Royal Princess' fitness center will be the line's largest at sea, with sports equipment overlooking the ocean. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' buffet restaurant, Horizon Court, will be twice as large as on previous Princess ships. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Close to the outdoor pool deck, the Horizon Bistro is another buffet area that will offer quick grab-and-go items in addition to a hibachi grill, rotisseries, carving stations, a taqueria and salad stations. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A buffet line takes shape in the Horizon Bistro. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Horizon Bistro also will be home to The Pastry Shop, a dedicated space for fresh-made pastries, hot desserts and flambes. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' Vista Lounge, taking shape here, will feature a large dance floor and be home to a live band nightly. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Fincantieri workers are installing seating in swirl shapes along the sides of the Vista Lounge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Allegro Dining Room on Deck 6 (one of three main dining rooms) will be home to traditional fixed-seating dinners. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Allegro Dining Room also is home to Chef's Table Lumiere, a private, extra-charge "chef's table" area that will be enclosed by a curtain of dangling LED lights. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A stairwell for passengers nears completion. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess will feature one of Princess' signature Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurants. The extra-charge eatery will feature an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs prepare fresh seafood and steaks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Located adjacent to the Crown Grill is the WheelHouse Bar, another Princess staple. It will serve pub lunches daily in addition to drinks. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Billed as an industry first, Princess Live! will be a TV studio built for a live audience that will be used to broadcast on-board shows, cooking demonstrations and other events. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Princess Live! bar. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like other Princess ships, the Royal Princess will have a piazza-style Atrium that serves as a central hub for the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' Atrium will be 50% larger than the atriums on previous Princess ships and feature natural lighting from curving walls of glass facing the sea. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Atrium will be home to a wine bar, pizzeria and other food and drink outlets including Ocean Terrace -- a new-for-Princess seafood bar. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

An area of boutique shops will be located in this space just off the Royal Princess' Atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Princess Art Gallery. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A close-up view of a boutique store called Essence under construction just off the Atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' main theater, to be called the Princess Theater, will be notable for a design that doesn't have pillars blocking views, as can be seen here. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Symphony Dining Room on Deck 5, one of the Royal Princess' three main dining rooms, will be lined with large windows overlooking the sea. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' nightclub, Club 6, will be adjacent to the ship's casino on Deck 6. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like other Princess ships, the Royal Princess will have a Tuscan-inspired Sabatini's restaurant located in this space on Deck 5. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another Atrium outlet called Gelato will serve ice cream made by hand on board the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess' Passenger Services desk also is just off the Atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

In a twist, the Royal Princess' Lotus Spa will be located on Deck 5 of the ship, below the main theater and much lower than on previous Princess ships. Here, one of the spa's treatment rooms. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among 1,780 cabins on the Royal Princess will be 40 suites with balconies such as this one, shown in a mock-up at the Fincantieri shipyard. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Suites will include a living room and bedroom, shown here, as well as two bathrooms and a large balcony. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The main bathroom in suites will have full bathtubs as well as separate showers. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The shower in the main bathroom of a Royal Princess suite. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

In addition to full suites, the Royal Princess will feature 306 smaller "mini-suites" that have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be separated from the main bed area by drapes. The example shown here is a mock-up located at the Fincantieri shipyard. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Mini-suites will have two flat-screen TVs, marble-top furniture, a spacious closet and an outdoor balcony. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A mock-up of a mini-suite bathroom. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Royal Princess will have 360 Deluxe Balcony cabins that are a larger version of the ship's standard balcony cabin. Shown here in a mock-up at the Fincantieri shipyard, the Deluxe Balcony cabin will have pull-out sofas in a seating area adjacent to the rooms' main bed. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A mock-up of the bathroom that will be found in Deluxe Balcony cabins. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy is a sister ship to the Royal Princess to be called Regal Princess. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Almost identical to the Royal Princess, the Regal Princess is scheduled to debut in May 2014. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

CruiseCritic.com editor-in-chief Carolyn Spencer Brown (center) served as "madrina," or godmother, for the Regal Princess during a floating out ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard on March 26, 2013. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY